Types of Conservation Forests in Indonesia

Types of Conservation Forests in Indonesia | cfes.id, Forests have diverse ecosystems with flora and fauna that are beneficial to human life. Indonesia is the country with the third largest tropical forest area in the world, after Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 2021). Therefore, conservation efforts are needed in Indonesia to preserve its forest wealth. These efforts are realized through the establishment of conservation forests, aimed at protecting and maintaining biodiversity and the ecosystems within them. Below is the definition, extent, and types of conservation forests in Indonesia.

Definition of Conservation Forest

According to Law No. 41 of 1999 on Forestry, conservation forest is a forest area with specific characteristics, whose main function is to conserve the diversity of plant and animal species along with their ecosystems. The conservation function in this law refers to efforts to preserve and protect flora and fauna from extinction.

Area of Conservation Forests in Indonesia

According to the release of "The State of Indonesia’s Forests (SOIFO)" in December 2020, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) stated that Indonesia’s legally recognized (de jure) forest area is 120.5 million hectares, of which 21.9 million hectares are conservation forests.

Types of Conservation Forests in Indonesia

Conservation forests in Indonesia can be categorized into several types:

1. Nature Reserve Areas (KSA)

These are state-owned forests with special characteristics, primarily functioning as areas for the protection and preservation of flora, fauna, and their ecosystems. In these conservation areas, human intervention and activities are allowed if they support the survival of certain species.

Nature Reserve Areas are divided into two categories: Nature Reserves (Cagar Alam) and Wildlife Reserves (Suaka Margasatwa), each serving different purposes. Nature Reserves usually focus on the environment and organisms within the area and tend to be relatively small. Protection in these areas is very strict, and unauthorized activities are prohibited. Examples include Arjuno Lalijiwo Nature Reserve, Mount Krakatau Nature Reserve, and others. Wildlife Reserves are larger conservation areas designated to protect wild animals. These areas require active habitat management and preservation efforts. Examples include Ujung Kulon Wildlife Reserve, Lore Lindu Wildlife Reserve, and Komodo Island Wildlife Reserve. They are also used for research, scientific development, and educational tourism.

2. Nature Conservation Forest Areas (KPA)

According to Law No. 5 of 1990, a Nature Conservation Forest Area is a region with unique features both land and water, that serves to protect life-support systems, preserve biodiversity, and sustainably utilize natural biological resources and ecosystems. There are three types of Nature Conservation Forest Areas:

National Parks (TN)

A National Park is a conservation area with native ecosystems, managed under a zoning system. These areas are used for research, education, scientific development, tourism, and recreation. National parks are protected and managed by the central government and cover extensive areas with unique natural resources, including plants, animals, and their ecosystems. The zones in national parks include core zone, utilization zone, wilderness zone, and other zones. There are currently 55 national parks in Indonesia, with 6 designated as World Heritage Sites and 9 included in the global biosphere reserve network.
Examples include Ujung Kulon National Park, Baluran National Park, Bunaken National Park, and more.

Nature Tourism Parks (TWA)

A Nature Tourism Park is a forest area designated for natural recreation and tourism activities. However, tourism in these parks must align with conservation principles. Establishing a Nature Tourism Park requires a Nature Tourism Business Permit (IPPA), similar to permits for wildlife reserves, national parks, and forest gardens. There are 118 Nature Tourism Parks in Indonesia, covering forests, land, and marine areas.

Grand Forest Parks (Tahura)

Grand Forest Parks, or Tahura, are forest areas aimed at nature protection and biodiversity conservation. The ecosystems within these parks may be natural or artificially created. Indonesia has at least 22 Grand Forest Parks, including Raja Lelo Tahura in Bengkulu, and Ir. H. Djuanda Tahura in Bandung.

3. Game Reserves (Taman Buru)

A Game Reserve is a conservation forest area designated for regulated hunting activities. Hunting in these areas must meet specific requirements, such as proper weapon permits, approved species for hunting, specific hunting seasons, and compliance with all regulations. Currently, Indonesia has only 12 Game Reserve areas, including the Moyo Island Game Reserve in West Nusa Tenggara Province.

That is an explanation of the various types of conservation forests in Indonesia. All these types of conservation forests play an important role in preserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and the environment in Indonesia.

References

• Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan Republik Indonesia. (t.thn.). UU No. 41 Tahun 1999 – Kehutanan. Database peraturan.
• Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK). (2020). The State of Indonesia’s Forest (SOIFO) 2020.
• Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK). (2021). Siaran pers, Menteri LHK pada Peringatan Hari Hutan Internasional.